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Installing Node.js on z/OS

Installing Node.js on z/OS

Note: This section is not required if using Docker or only using the CLI.

Before you install Zowe™ on z/OS, you must install IBM SDK for Node.js on the same z/OS server that hosts the Zowe Application Server and z/OS Explorer Services. Review the information in this topic to obtain and install Node.js.

Supported Node.js versions#

The following Node.js versions are supported to run Zowe. See the Hardware and software prerequisites section for the prerequisites that are required by Zowe.

The corresponding IBM SDK for Node.js - z/OS documentation lists all the prerequisites for Node.js. Some software packages, which might be listed as prerequisites there, are NOT required by Zowe. Specifically, you do NOT need to install Python, Make, Perl, or C/C++ runtime or compiler. If you can run node --version successfully, you have installed the prerequisites required by Zowe.

Notice: IBM SDK for node.js had withdrawn v12 from marketing on September 6, 2021 and ended v12 service on September 30, 2022.

How to obtain IBM SDK for Node.js - z/OS#

You can obtain IBM SDK for Node.js - z/OS for free in one of the following ways:

  • Order the SMP/E edition through your IBM representative if that is your standard way to order IBM software.
  • Order the SMP/E edition through IBM Shopz with optional paid support available.
  • Download PAX file format at ibm.com/products/sdk-nodejs-compiler-zos. IBM defect Support is not available for this format.

For more information, see the blog "Options on how to obtain IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Node.js".

Hardware and software prerequisites#

To install Node.js for Zowe, the following requirements must be met.

The corresponding IBM SDK for Node.js - z/OS documentation lists all the prerequisites for Node.js. Some software packages, which might be listed as prerequisites there, are NOT required by Zowe. Specifically, you do NOT need to install Python, Make, Perl, or C/C++ runtime or compiler.

If you can run node --version successfully, you have installed the Node.js prerequisites required by Zowe.

Hardware:

IBM zEnterprise® 196 (z196) or newer

Software:

  • z/OS UNIX System Services enabled

  • Integrated Cryptographic Service Facility (ICSF) configured and started

    ICSF is required for Node.js to operate successfully on z/OS. If you have not configured your z/OS environment for ICSF, see Cryptographic Services ICSF: System Programmer's Guide. To see whether ICSF has been started, check whether the started task ICSF or CSF is active.

Installing the PAX edition of Node.js - z/OS#

Follow these steps to install the PAX edition of Node.js - z/OS to run Zowe.

  1. Download the pax.Z file to a z/OS machine.

  2. Extract the pax.Z file inside an installation directory of your choice. For example:

    pax -rf <path_to_pax.Z_file> -x pax

  3. Add the full path of your installation directory to your PATH environment variable:

    export PATH=<installation_directory>/bin/:$PATH
  4. Run the following command from the command line to verify the installation.

    node --version

    If Node.js is installed correctly, the version of Node.js is displayed.

  5. After you install Node.js, set the NODE_HOME environment variable to the directory where Node.js is installed. For example, NODE_HOME=/proj/mvd/node/installs/node-v6.14.4-os390-s390x.

Installing the SMP/E edition of Node.js - z/OS#

To install the SMP/E edition of Node.js, see the documentation for IBM SDK for Node.js - z/OS. Remember that the software packages Perl, Python, Make, or C/C++ runtime or compiler that the Node.js documentation might mention are NOT needed by Zowe.